Forthcoming Bendix Wingman Fusion upgrades in hardware and software will power new collision mitigation and driver assistance features, including Traffic Jam Assist, Highway Assist, and Pedestrian/Cyclist Alerts, along with steering capabilities such as Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Centering. The new state-of-the-art components fully support SAE Level 2 driving functions, The new capabilities are expected to be available in the next two years.
Technology company and automotive supplier, Continental, supplies state-of-the-art radar and camera sensors for the solutions. Through a previously announced global partnership for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a path to highly automated driving between Bendix’s parent company, the Knorr-Bremse Group, and Continental, the Bendix Wingman Fusion system will utilize forward radar and camera units, as well as a side-facing radar from Continental. Using sensors that are working together, Fusion gathers input through the radar, video, and the vehicle’s braking system, combining and cross-checking the information to create a highly detailed and accurate data picture surrounding the vehicle.
Next-generation Wingman Fusion’s Lane Centering will integrate the camera and steering systems to help keep a vehicle centered along a projected path of travel, while Lane Change Assist will monitor the sides of a tractor-trailer, relative to the lane markings, Bendix detailed. Side radar will also enable the Pedestrian/Cyclist Alerts and feedback.
Highway Assist will engage when Fusion’s active cruise control with braking is set: The vehicle will not only maintain a distance with the forward vehicle – increasing safety – but will also track to near center, automatically, and follow to a defined trajectory to assist the truck and trailer to stay within the intended lane, Bendix explained. The driver will need to have their hands on the wheel, but the system will reduce driver fatigue associated with micro-adjustments needed during normal driving activity. It is especially useful in light to moderate traffic where cut-ins and road curvatures can wear a driver down over a long day’s work.
Building on Highway Assist, Traffic Jam Assist further helps the driver when traffic becomes heavy, as the system will help the driver steer and brake at low speeds when backed-up traffic causes slowdowns, Bendix said.
Upcoming versions of Fusion will retain the capabilities of the system’s earlier versions: Stationary object alerts, overspeed alerts and intervention, lane departure warning, and prioritizing alerts to help reduce driver distraction. Fusion can also deliver enhanced rear-end collision mitigation and stationary vehicle braking, along with multilane automatic emergency braking, highway departure braking, ACB (Active Cruise with Braking) Stop and Driver Go, and ACB Auto-Resume. Fusion has the capacity to provide full braking power on the tractor, which – combined with earlier object detection – can help reduce a vehicle’s speed by as much as 50 miles per hour when encountering stationary and slower-moving vehicles, Bendix said.
Lane Keeping Assist technology means that if a driver intends to change lanes while a vehicle is detected, Fusion will be able to deliver haptic feedback and steering resistance, according to Bendix.
